Sometimes I complain about the US government. A lot of the time, especially over the last 7 years or so, I am absolutely horrified by the decisions our “wise leaders” have made. But in the end, I have to say that I am glad I am American. I have the freedom to travel where I want, when I want. I know I can decide to become a lawyer, IT consultant, professor, plumber, wall street banker, or whatever I can imagine; tomorrow, and if I set my mind to it, I can do it. There is nothing stopping me, and no one would question my decision to drastically change my life as long as I had a reason.
The reason for my sudden appreciation for the luck of my birth is twofold:
First of all, I was reading one of my favorite blogs last week, On The Fringe, where I discovered the Global Rich List website (thanks Global Gal!). After inputting my salary, I came out as in the top 0.98% of the worlds richest people. Boy, that really puts things into perspective. I certainly don’t feel like I’m living in the lap of luxury here, and I definitely don’t feel like I’m rolling in the dough. But think of the other 99% of the world…
Second of all, my wonderful friend, Susan (on the left), whom I have been friends with since she was an exchange student (from Italy) in my high school, was recently lamenting the “soul crushing” nature of her job. She works in an office in Milan and is struggling with the pointless daily tasks she is forced to do. On top of that, her boyfriend lives in Torino and would like to move to Milan to be closer to Susan. He’s been searching in Milan for a job for over a year now. No one will hire him because they can not understand that he would want to move for personal reasons. Susan wrote to me: “in Italy basically you go where your job takes you, you have no power to decide on a different base.”
Here I sit, in Malaysia, after having lived in Italy, Germany, Connecticut, Virginia, and Washington DC; and I’m only 29. And I’m not stopping there. Next week we’re going on vacation to Vietnam and Thailand. Maybe next year we’ll be living in a totally different part of the world. And maybe someday I’ll decide to change careers or go back to school. I don’t expect anyone to stop me from doing these things. I am truly privelaged, all thanks to the passport I hold… Talk about the luck of the draw.
Image from: http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/
pic/CORPOD/42-15348439~Champagne-Glass-and-Bottle-Posters.jpg
Kim–I love this post! I think also that being an expat helps you appreciate your “American-ness”—at least it did for me.
Thanks Preya! I see that you’ve blogged about it already
I’m glad what I wrote made sense… I wasn’t sure while I was writing it!
I’m working my way round the blog roll for Saturday Photo Hunt, maybe by New Years i will get to everyone lol
Merry Christmas!!!!!!!
A great post!
Your reaction to the GBL was very similar to my own, I’m glad you liked it! Honestly, I posted the link partly because I hoped certain members of my family would see it and reflect on their own lives. These are the kind of people who complain constantly of being “so poor” yet own two new cars, a new 3 bedroom house and have never wanted for anything in their lives.
While I suppose Thanksgiving is the more traditional day to give thanks, I find I am a very non-traditional American, so I always do things differently. Right now seems a good time to join you in saying that I am also very thankful that I was lucky enough to be born into an American family.
I am also thankful that I am the kind of non-traditional American who made the choice to leave her country so she could see the world – and so she could get to know her own country, the good and bad, better.
I agree wholeheartedly! I really do think there is something special about living overseas. A way to get perspective on life that would be near to impossible without leaving your “comfort zone.” My family sounds similar to yours, and they’ve only left the country once (to visit me in Germany). I know they’ll never come all the way here because it’s too far and too strange.
It’s unfortunate that the only way they are willing to see me is if I come home to them. I understand that I’m the one who left, but I don’t understand not wanting to at least see where I live. I’m not asking them to move here, just visit.
I think there is something about the US that almost traps people there – life is so easy, the media is always telling you to buy and spend more to make your life more comfortable, and sending the message that anything outside of the US is dangerous and scary. The pressure to “beat the Jones’” means that you may never see life beyond your neighborhood, and certainly not beyond the country’s borders. It’s sad to think that my family has fallen for it too…
Really like your last post Kim, and totally agree. It’s so sad that 90% of the world would love to be American, and 90% of Americans feel poor and underprivileged. (I totally made those numbers up, of course.) I wish more Americans would travel, and learn to appreciate both what’s great and not-so-great about the U.S.
It really is a whole different world when you don’t travel. It always surprises me how scared many Americans are to travel outside of the country and what a big deal traveling is to people from the States. Alex and I don’t bat an eye about leaving the country for a weekend, but most people in the States would never make a big trip for such a short time. In my opinion it’s all about what you do when you’re there – you forget about the nightmare of the actual transport as soon as you’re off the plane (kind of like the way mothers talk about giving birth).